SENATOR AMEDORE ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF “LAREE’S LAW”

Senator George Amedore, co-Chair of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, announced Senate passage of  Laree’s Law, which would give law enforcement officials the ability to charge a drug dealer with homicide if a person overdoses on heroin or an opiate-controlled substance sold to them by that dealer.

The bill (S.2761) carries a penalty of 15-25 years in prison.

Laree’s Law is named after Laree Farrell Lincoln, a Colonie teenager who died of a heroin overdose in 2013.

“New York State has established itself as a leader when it comes to increasing prevention and education efforts, making treatment more accessible in every community, and ensuring strong support services for those in recovery. But we need to take on the heroin epidemic from all sides and that includes properly punishing the big business dealers that are bringing this poison into our communities,” said Senator George Amedore.

The legislation is intended to target mid to high level drug dealers who profit from heroin sales, and includes a “co-user” carve out. In  2011, New York adopted a “Good Samaritan” law to shield individuals from charges related to an overdose if they attempt to help the individual and report the incident in a timely manner.

“Big business drug dealers continue to look for ways to make their product stronger and make themselves a bigger profit, and all the while, overdose deaths continue to rise,” said Senator Amedore. “They will continue to prey on our most vulnerable until there is a punishment that properly fits the crime.”

The bill was sent to the Assembly.